Background Skate devices which incorporate a plurality of wheels, such as roller skates, in-line skates and skateboards are well known for the purposes of sport and recreation.

Generally, all these devices when worn or ridden by the user, allow the user to travel easily over smooth surfaces such as pavement and the like.

Roller skates and in-line skates are provided as a pair of skates, the user attaching each skate to one of his feet. In-line skates are now more commonly in use. An in-line skate typically comprises a boot mounted on an elongate chassis having a plurality of in-line wheels mounted thereon. The user wears the skates by inserting and securing each of his feet into the respective boots.

US Patent 5,797,608 (Haldemann) discloses an in-line skate device having a boot fixed releasably to a chassis carrying a plurality of wheels by means of a fastening device. The fastening device comprises a latch articulated to the chassis and having a point which interacts with a housing on the boot. The boot is purpose built for use with the in-line skate.

WO 97/36655 (K2 Corporation) also discloses an in-line skate comprising a purpose built boot adapted for releasable engagement with a chassis carrying a plurality of wheels by means of a fastening device.

In the abovementioned prior art in-line skates, the heel to toe direction of the boots are fixedly disposed along the longitudinal axis of travel of each respective skate worn by the user.

A skateboard typically comprises a board body having two spaced-apart wheeled trucks. A user of the skateboard is able to stand on the board body and propel the skateboard by leg motion. The user is able to selectively remove one of his feet from the board body in order to impart the necessary motion, as his feet are not bound or secured to the skateboard.

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative skate device to that of known skateboards and in-line skates.

Summary of Invention In a first aspect the present invention consists in a skate device comprising a chassis having a plurality of in-line wheels mounted thereon along the longitudinal axis of travel of said device, at least one binding apparatus mounted on or integral with said chassis, wherein in use when a boot of a user is bound to or within said at least one binding apparatus, the heel to toe direction of said boot is fixedly disposed along an axis which is not parallel to said longitudinal axis of travel.

Preferably said chassis comprises of a fore chassis section and aft chassis section pivotally connected to each other.

Preferably said fore chassis section and said aft chassis section are pivotally connected to each other via an elastomeric joint member.

Preferably said elastomeric joint member is releasably secured to said fore chassis section and said aft chassis section.

Preferably said at least one binding apparatus is a strap-in binding.

Preferably said strap-in binding is slidably mounted onto said chassis.

Prefeably said strap-in binding is rotationally mounted onto said chassis.

Preferably said at least one binding apparatus is two binding apparatuses.

In a second aspect the present invention consists in a skate device comprising a chassis having two sections, a fore chassis section and an aft chassis section pivotally connected together, each of said fore and aft chassis sections having a plurality of in-line wheels mounted thereon along a respective longitudinal axis of travel, each of said fore and aft chassis sections having a binding apparatus mounted on or integral therewith, wherein in use the boots of a user are bound to or within the respective binding apparatus of said aft and fore sections, the heel to toe direction of at least one of said boots is fixedly disposed along an axis which is not parallel to said longitudinal axis of travel of its respective chassis section.

Preferably said fore chassis section and said aft chassis section are pivotally connected to each other via an elastomeric joint member.

Preferably said elastomeric joint member is releasably secured to said fore chassis section and said aft chassis section.

Preferably each said binding apparatus is a strap-in binding.

Preferably each said strap-in binding is slidably mounted onto said respective chassis section.

Preferably each strap-in binding is rotationally mounted onto said respective chassis section.

In a third aspect the present invention consists in a skate device comprising a chassis having a plurality of in-line wheels mounted thereon along the longitudinal axis of travel of said device, a binding apparatus for releasably securing the foot or boot of a user with said chassis, coupling means at one end of said device for releasably coupling said device to a second such device in end to end relationship, wherein said binding apparatus of said device allows for either one of at least two fixedly disposed orientations of the heel to toe orientation of the foot or boot of said user with respect to the direction of travel of said device.

Preferably said coupling means is an elastomeric joint member.

Preferably said elastomeric joint member is releasably securably to said device.

Preferably said binding apparatus is a strap-in binding.

Preferably said strap-in binding is rotationally mounted onto said chassis.

Brief Description of the Drawings By way of non-limiting examples, embodiments of the abovementioned invention are described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the skate device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the skate device shown in Fig. 1 operationally being used by a skater.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a rear end view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cut-away perspective view of the joint member component of the skate device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the structural member of the joint member shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the skate device shown in Figure 1, with the strap-in bindings in a heel-toe orientation at right angles to the direction of travel of the skate device.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the skate device shown in Figure 1, with the step-in bindings in a heel-toe orientation oblique to the direction of travel of the skate device.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the skate device shown in Figure 1, with the fore and aft chassis sections separated, for use as in-line skates.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the skate device of the present invention.

Figure 12 is an elevational view of the skate device shown in Fig. 11 with a braking member fitted.

Figure 13 is a front end view of the skate device shown in Fig. 12.

Figure 14 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 12.

Mode of Carrying out Invention Referring to figures 1-10, a first embodiment of a skate device 1 is shown. Skate device 1 comprises an elongate chassis 2, having a fore chassis section 3 pivotally connected to an aft chassis section 4. Each of the fore and aft chassis sections 3,4 have four wheels 5,6 respectively mounted thereon in an in-line fashion. Each of the fore and aft chassis sections 3,4 also comprise strap-in bindings 7,8 respectively.

Strap-in bindings 7,8 are each provided with adjustable toe and shin straps 9 and 10, which utilise VELCRO loop fasteners for adjustable fastening, as shown in figures 1 and 2. The strap-in bindings 7,8 allow for boots 11 of a user 12 to be releasably secured thereto, thereby releasably securing boots 11 to skate device 1. In figures 1, 3-5 and figures 8-10, the adjustable toe and shin straps 9 and 10 have been omitted for purposes of clearly describing the adjustable nature of strap-in bindings 7,8 with respect to fore and aft chassis sections 3,4.

In use it is preferable that strap-in bindings 7,8 are releasably secured in an orientation such that the heel to toe direction of one or both boots 11 of user 12 are in a direction which is at right angles or oblique to the direction of travel T as shown in figure 1.

The strap-in bindings 7,8 are each adjustably slidable along the upper surfaces 13,14 of the respective fore and aft chassis sections 3,4, and can be releasably fixed at a desired position by three fasteners 15,16, which respectively pass through strap-in bindings 7, 8 and slots 17,18 in upper surfaces 13,14. This allows for longitudinal adjustment of strap-in bindings 7,8 to suit the preference of the user. Two of fasteners 15,16 pass through arcuate slots 19,20 which are provided in the base plates 21,22 of respective step-in bindings 7,8. This allows for rotational adjustment of strap-in bindings 7,8 relative to the fore and aft chassis sections 3,4, to suit the preference of the user, as shown in figures 8 and 9.

Fore and aft chassis sections 3,4 of elongate chassis 2 are preferably made of a rigid material, such as metal. The pivotal connection between aft and fore chassis sections 3,4 is achieved by a flexible elastomeric joint member 23 adapted to allow for limited articulated movement. Joint member 23 preferably comprises a structural member 24 embedded within a polyurethane block 25, as shown in figures 6 and 7. Structural member 24, which may preferably be made of a thermoplastic material with suitable bending properties such as polypropylene or polyethylene, has two oppositely disposed tubular members 26, whose free ends 27 are substantially flush with side walls 28 of polyurethane block 25. Removable fasteners 29 secure joint member 23 to fore and aft chassis sections 3,4. Each fastener 29 passes through apertures in the side walls of one of the chassis sections, as well as passing through the bore of a respective tubular member 26 of joint member 23.

In use, skate device 1 is ridden like a skateboard, however user 12 does not remove his boots (or feet) from skate device 1 whilst it is in use. Preferably, skate device 1 is ridden on inclined surfaces such as pavement or specially prepared ramps and surfaces which are known for users of skate devices such as in-line skates, skate boards and the like. Joint member 23 between aft and fore chassis sections 3,4 allows skate device 1 to be flexed and/or twisted about the articulated joint by movement of the user's feet. The joint member 23 is self-centring as a result of the fastening arrangement and the elastomeric material from which block 25 is manufactured. The travel speed of user 12 (and skate device 1), may be increased by the user weaving skate device 1 in a side-to-side and lift motion, whilst skate device 1 is travelling in a substantially forward direction. It is possible for user 12 to steer skate device 1 by applying a turning pressure, either left or right, to the front foot (secured to fore section 3) whilst slightly twisting or leaning skate device 1 into the desired turn.

Whilst skate device 1 is preferably ridden with both boots 11 of user 12 releasably secured within the strap-in bindings 7,8, it should be understood that the device can be ridden with only one boot 11 of user 12 secured to one of the strap-in bindings.

After some considerable use, joint member 23 may require replacement and can easily be detached from fore and aft chassis sections 3,4 by removing fasteners 29.

Furthermore, as fore and aft chassis sections 3,4 can be separated from each other by removal of joint member 23, they can be used in a like manner to a pair of conventional in-line skates. As shown in figure 10, strap-in bindings 7,8 can be reorientated by loosening fasteners 15,16 and rotating strap-in bindings 7,8 relative to their respective aft and fore chassis sections 3,4 then resecuring fasteners 15,16 such that the heel to toe direction of the boots of the user are in-line with wheels 5,6.

In this configuration the heel to toe direction of the boots of the user are in line with direction of travel of each chassis section 3,4 in a similar manner to conventional in- line skates. As such, the skate device 1 of the present embodiment could be considered as a transformable skate device adapted to be transformed into a pair of in-line skates and vice a versa.

The chassis 2, may also be provided with a braking member (not shown) which is mounted at the rear of aft chassis section 4. Preferably the braking member incorporates a hard wearing material adapted to engage with the pavement or other surface on which skate device 1 is travelling, by the user tilting or applying rearward pressure to skate device 1 thereby tilting and engaging the braking member with the surface upon which skate device 1 is travelling. This allows for skate device 1 to be decelerated and/or stopped. It is preferable that the braking member is removable from skate device 1, such that device 1 can be used without it.

Referring to figures 11-14, a second embodiment of a skate device 101 is shown.

Skate device 101 comprises an elongate chassis 102, having a fore chassis section 103 integrally formed with an aft chassis section 104. Each of the fore and aft chassis sections 103,104 have four wheels 105,106 respectively mounted thereon in an in- line fashion. Each of the fore and aft chassis sections 103,104 also comprise binding support plates 107,108 adapted to engagably support strap-in bindings (not shown) adapted to allow for the boots of a user to be releasably secured thereto. Each binding support plate 107,108 is provided with holes 109 to allow for attachment of the step-in bindings. Each of the binding support plates 107,108 are slidable along flange 112 and can be fixed at a desired position therealong by screws or fasteners (not shown), which are secured into holes 114 on flange 112. This allows for adjustment of the spacing between the binding support plates 107,108 to suit the preference of the user.

In use, in a similar configuration to the skate device 1 of the first embodiment, it is preferable that the strap-in bindings be oriented such that the heel to toe direction of one or both of the boots of the user are in a direction which is at right angles or oblique to the direction of travel T.

The chassis 102, may be provided with a braking member 111 which is mounted at the rear of aft chassis section 104 as shown in Figs 12 and 13. Braking member 111 incorporates a hard wearing material 113 adapted to engage with the pavement for stopping skate device 101.

In this embodiment chassis 102 may preferably be made of a rigid material, such as metal, thereby preventing any articulated movement between fore and aft chassis sections 103,104. This would thereby provide skate device 101 with characteristics of use different to that of skate device 1 of the first embodiment.

Alternatively, chassis 102 may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as those marketed under the brands of GEOLAST"or SANTOPRENE"or a melt processible rubber (MPR) such as that marketed under the mark ALCRYN". Where such materials are used, chassis 102 may have limited articulated movement between fore and aft chassis sections 103,104 about central portion 110, which is integrally disposed between fore and aft chassis sections 103,104.

It should be understood that the shape and configuration of various components of the present invention, such as the chassis, strap-in bindings, articulated joint etc. may differ without departing from the scope and spirit of invention. For instance, the strp-in bindings may alternatively be step-in bindings of a type similar to those used on snowboards, such those marketed as under the brands CLICKER and SWITCH.

In another not shown embodiment, the strap-in bindings may be replaced by boots whose heel to orientation are in a direction which is at right angles or oblique to the direction of travel T as shown in figure 1. In such an embodiment the user secures his feet into the boots. In a similar manner to the strap-in bindings of the first embodiment, the boots may be rotatably and slidably adjustable with respect to the chassis.

In another not shown embodiment, the invention may comprise of a pair of in-line skates, each of which have a coupling means at one end thereof. This would allow for the skates to be connected to each other in an end to end relationship. The connection between the skates may be a rigid coupling or an articulated joint similar to that shown for skate device 1 of the first embodiment. Each in-line skate would preferably have means for pivotally rotating the boot of the skate relative to the chassis of the skate, such that the boot may be secured in either one of at least two orientations of the heel to toe direction of the boot (or foot of the user) with respect to the direction of travel of the skate. Alternatively, the orientation of the boot with respect to the chassis may be achieved by removing the boot from the chassis, reorienting and securing the boot with respect to the chassis in an alternative heel to toe direction. This would allow the skates to be used as conventional in-line skates or transformed to a configuration similar to that of the skate devices 1 and 101 of the earlier described embodiments, where the heel to toe direction of one or both boots are in a direction which is at right angles or oblique to the direction of travel of the transformed skate device.

Throughout the description reference is made to the boot of a user. It should be understood that the term"boot"as used herein also refers to a shoe and other forms of footwear worn by a user.